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Plan to Reduce Dioxins Levels Resulting from Business Activities Modified

June 20, 2005

Meeting of Senior Officials for Conference on Environment Pollution Control approved on June 20, 2005 proposed modification for the "Government Plan to Reduce Dioxins Levels Resulting from Business Activities in Japan" based on Article 33 of Law Concerning Special Measures against Dioxins. The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) shall promptly notify the new plan.

In compliance with Article 33 of Law Concerning Special Measures against Dioxins, MOE formulated the Government Plan to Reduce Dioxin Levels Resulting from Business Activities in Japan on September 29, 2000. In the plan, the target for dioxins emission reduction by the end of FY 2002 was set between 843 - 891 g-TEQ (a reduction by 88.2 - 88.5% compared to the emission in 1997) and measures to reduce dioxins emission are promoted. According to the data publicized in September 2004, it was confirmed that estimated dioxins emission for FY 2003 was reduced by 95% compared to FY 1997. Thus, it was appraised that the reduction target of this plan was achieved.

In spite of the achievement made in reduction target, the Central Environment Council pointed out in its report on November 12, 2004, that dioxins require risk management on a long-term basis, since they have low biodegradability and will be accumulated in the environment once they are released.

In response to the Council's remark and in order to further promote measures for dioxins reduction, MOE compiled, based on the deliberation done by the ministries concerned, modification proposal for the plan. The MOE invited the public opinions on the proposed modification from May 27 to June 10, 2005. Necessary corrections were made according to the opinion submitted. The number of submission was 14 and the total number of comments was 74.

<Major changes>

By promoting various measures for waste reduction, a new target of dioxins emission for FY 2010 is set as reduction by 15% compared to the emission of FY 2003.

Complying with the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs Convention) which entered in May 2004, promotion of emission reduction through application of the best available technology (BAT) and the best environmental practice (BEP) is incorporated.

The latest measures including promotion of effective and efficient measurement and monitoring of dioxins by introducing expedite and low cost measuring method are incorporated.